" (I subsequently filed a
requisition for $1,000 to be paid her, but I think she got more.) "You
agree? Good!"
The agreement closed, I went back to the hotel well satisfied with the
night's work.
Early the next morning a very perturbed Major Schovealoff was shown
into my chamber. I greeted him cordially and opened fire with the
remark.
"I see Mlle. Valon has conferred with you."
He started.
"How did you know?"
"Mon cher Major, this early visit, your sobriety, your nervous manner
are indications enough. My time is valuable, and although your petite
Paris here is very entertaining, I prefer the Baltic seashore. If you
have anything to say to me, say it quickly, and to the point. I leave
this afternoon for Vienna. It may interest you to know that you are
absolutely safe. I put no stop to your no doubt valuable service to
your employer. In fact, it's no affair of mine what you do after I
leave. But I want the whole of your knowledge of Russian activity
here and in Roumania."
He replied:
"I know very little about Roumania."
I shook my head.
''This will not do, Major, you know about as much of Russian intrigues
in Roumania as you do of them here. I want the whole or nothing. As
Mlle. Valon--Paula--doubtless has told you, neither you nor she are
in a position to hold back a single thing."
Without further attempt to bluff it out, he told me what I wanted.
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